![]() ![]() Crusoe and Walker met in France in October 1951. Hershey's participation in the creation of the Thunderbird was more administrative than artistic. Boyer was the lead stylist on the original 1955 two-seater Thunderbird and also had input in the following series of Thunderbirds that included the 30th Anniversary Edition. The Thunderbird was similar in concept but was more American in style, more luxurious, and less sport-oriented.Ĭredit for the development of the original Thunderbird is given to Lewis Crusoe, a former GM executive lured out of retirement by Henry Ford II George Walker, chief stylist and a Ford vice president Frank Hershey, chief stylist for the Ford Division Bill Boyer, designer for the Body Development Studio, who became the manager of the Thunderbird Studio in the spring of 1955 and Bill Burnett, chief engineer. The completed one-off generated interest at the time, but had meager power, European looks, and a correspondingly high cost, so it never proceeded to production. Development Ī smaller two-seater sports roadster, named the Vega, was developed in 1953 at the behest of Henry Ford II. Thunderbird production ended in 1997, then briefly resumed as a two-passenger, marketed from 2002 to 2005.įrom its introduction in 1955 to its final phaseout in 2005, Ford produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds. Sales were good until the 1990s when large two-door coupes became unpopular. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once again in 1983. For 1958, the Thunderbird was redesigned with a second row of seats. Ford positioned the Thunderbird as an upscale model and it is credited in developing a new market segment, the personal luxury car. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. The Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was offered variously as a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, with the final generation designed again as a two-seat convertible.įord targeted the two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, but the 1958 model year design introduced a rear seat and arguably marked the expansion of a market segment eventually known as personal luxury cars, positioned to emphasize comfort and convenience over handling and high-speed performance. The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford from model years 1955 to 2005 (with a 1997–2002 hiatus), across 11 generations. Sports car (first and eleventh generations).Benefiting handsomely from a high-quality restoration, this collector-grade 1963 ford Thunderbird Hardtop comes with a spare wheel/tire, roadside jack, First Aid kit, owners manual, and original ID tag. Factory features and amenities are numerous, including the standard automatic transmission, an AM radio, power brakes, steering, and window lifts, plus Fords innovative Tilt-A-Way steering column. ![]() Powered by a Z-Code 390 CI V-8 engine with 4-barrel carburetor, delivering 300 factory-rated horsepower, this 1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible is exceptionally attractive and remains true to its factory specifications in Steel Blue over blue leather upholstery. Accordingly, the final-year Bullet Thunderbirds are particularly sought-after by todays most knowledgeable and passionate classic Thunderbird collectors. Underneath that handsome exterior, the 1963 Thunderbird also included additional sound deadening material and a quieter, longer-life exhaust system, plus myriad upgrades to the electrical system and accessories for improved reliability. Select revisions for 1963 included a new vertical-bar grille design and updates to the body sides and taillights. Four models were available for 1961-63, comprising the Hardtop, formal Landau Hardtop, Convertible, and for 1962-63, the Sports Roadster. Boasting unforgettable, projectile-like styling, this generation remains immensely popular with todays Thunderbird enthusiasts. ![]() Produced only for model years 1961 through 1963, the third-generation Bullet Bird Thunderbird design was relentlessly improved and updated throughout its brief production run. RECENTLY SERVICED, DETAILED, READY TO ENJOY! TILT-A-WAY STEERING COLUMN & POWER FRONT SEATS RARE OPTIONAL A/C & FABULOUS COCKPIT-STYLE INTERIOR JET ERA THUNDERBIRD IN SPECTACULAR CONDITIONīEAUTIFUL STEEL BLUE OVER BLUE COMBINATIONīUCKET SEATS POWER BRAKES, STEERING, WINDOWS ![]()
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